Type-writing machine



, 4 Sheets' Sheet 1. J. A. WHITGOMB. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

No. 309,272. Patented Dec. 16, 1884.

(No Model,

48heets-Sheet 2. a. A. WHITOOMB. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

Patented Dec. .16. 1884.

(No Model.) whens-Sheet 3.

J. A. WHIT'COMB.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 309,272. Patented'Dec. 16.1884.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

J. A. WEI-1300M TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

Patented'Dec. 16, 1 884.-

N. PETERS. EhotwLiflwgrapher. Wnshinginn. n. c

warren rarns Parana @rrre J AMES A. XVHITGOMB, OF lVASHING-TON,.DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

BPECITEICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,272, datedDecember 16, 1884.

Application filed February 25. 1854. (No model.)

To all whom it TIMI/Z] concern.-

Be it known that I, J urns A. X'Vnrroonn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at \Va-shington, District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Type- \Vriters; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of typewriters wherein the successivedepression and release of a series of key-levers operates to vibrate andthrow a series of type-characters upward and against the surface of thepaper placed upon a suitable platen mounted upon a horizontally andlaterally moving carriage; and the novelty consists in the construction,arrangement, and adaptation of parts, as will be more fully hereinafterset forth, and spc cifically pointed out in the claims.

The invention more particularly contemplates certain new and usefulimprovements in the class of typewriters above referred to, wherebythe1: tterally-moving carriage may be moved either forward or backward atthe will of the operator, such forward or backward movement taking placein the usual step-bystep manner.

The invention further contemplates certain new and useful improvementsin the means employed to operate or rotate the ribbon-holding spools,whereby the inking-ribbon shall be moved from side to side of themachine below the platen in alternate opposite directions.

The invention further contemplates the pro vision of means whereby themovement of the ribbon-carrying spools may be automatically reversedwhen the ribbon is unwound from one or the other of the spools.

To these ends the invention consists, essentially, in the mechanisms andcombinations of mechanisms fully illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification, and are hereinafterclaimed.

Figure 1 represents a rear view of the upper portion of a type-writerprovided with my improvements. Fig. 2 represents a cross-see tional viewtaken on the line a: a: of Fig. 1,

showing the rollers that support the rear side of the carriage inposition upon the carriage guide-rail. Fig. 3 represents a similarcrosssectional view taken 011 the line y y through the carriageguide-rail, showing the manner of hinging the carriage at its rear sideto its carriers and supports. Fig. 4 represents a rear elevation of thehanger that supports the carriage-actuating wheel. Fig. 5 is a viewtaken on the line z :3 through the rear rail of the carriage, itsguide-rail and actuatingwheel, and the means that operates saidcarriage-actuating wheel. Fig. 6 represents a longitudinal section takenthrough the rear portion of my typewriter, 011 the line 2 2 of Fig. 5,and looking toward the rear of the machine. Fig. 7 represents a portionof the ribbonspool-operatin g bar, showing the means employed to givemot-ion to said'bar, the View being taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 5, andenlarged to clearly show details of construction. Fig. 8 represents atop plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 represents asectional view, taken from front to rear, of my type-writer, 011 theline 4. 4. of Fi 6, said view showing one of the ribbon-carrying spoolsand one method of making said spools self-reversing. Fig. 10 representsa portion of the pallet-wheel attached to the carriage-actuating wheel,and shows a device for setting the carriage backward in connection withsaid pallet-wheel. Figs. 11 and 12 represent sectional views takenthrough one of the spools, and show the means employed to automaticallyre- -verse the motion of said spools when winding or unwinding theribbon. Fig. 13 represents a longitudinal section through the top of themachine, showing one method of making the ribbon-carrying spoolsself-reversin Fig. 14 is a front elevation of a portion of a palletwheelattached to the carriage actuating wheel, and shows the means for movingsaid carriage in forward and backward direction combined together. Fig.15 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is aperspective view of the forward-moving mechanism of the carriage, saidmechanism shown detached from the machine.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures denote similarparts.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the top of a type-writer of theordinary construc- IOO \ dofthe bar from irregular movement.

tion, having the ordinary central opening in I to a projecting portion,9, of the hanger G,

which operate the pendent type-carrying arms.

a designates lugs projecting upwardly from each side of the top A, nearthe rear edge thereof.

B designates the paper-carriage, placed above and adapted to move fromside to side of the top A, in the usual manner. The rear rail, b, of thecarrige B is provided with projecting lugs I), having apertures b",through which apertures pass studs or pivotal pins 0, projectinglaterally from the enlarged ends a of a longitudinally-moving rack-bar,O.

D designates the guide-bar upon which the carriagemoves, and it ispreferably of rectangular form in cross-section, having its bearings ateach end rigid in lugs a, formed upon the-top A. The upper edge of thisguide-bar Disprovided with a V-shaped groove, (1, extending from end toend.

E designates small rollers mounted within recesses (2, formed in each ofthe enlarged ends-c of the rack-bar O. The periphery of each of therollers E is V-shaped in cross-section to correspond with the grooves d,as shown in Fig. 2, said V-shaped periphery of therollers moving in andkept by the groove The forward edge of-the carriage is provided withthe-usual steadying-roll. The body proper, c of the rack-bar O is belowthe guide-bar D, itsends 0 extending upward and provided with mortisesc,which embrace the bar D.

' (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) The side walls, 0 f

the mortises 0* press lightly against the sides of the bar D, thuspreventing lateral movement of, said rack-bar when the machine is inoperation. In the side walls, 0 of the ends 0 are journaled the rollersE. The lower surface of the bar 0 is provided with rack-teeth c, saidrack-teeth extending from end to end ofthe bar 0, as shown in Fig. 1.

E represents a gear-wheel mounted upon a stud; f, projecting from ahanger, G, secured to the lower surface of the top of the machine,atthe-rear edge thereof. The spur-wheel F projects through an aperture,f, in the top A, its teeth f engaging with the teeth 0 of the rack-barG. The rear side of the spur-wh l F is, provided with a boss, F, theouter surfaceof which is concentric with the periphery of thewheel F. Tothe boss F is secured one end of. a strap, 71, the opposite end of whichstrap issecured to the shell h, inclosing the spring. that furnishesmotive power to the carriage inits forward movement. To the outer rear'end of the boss F is secured a ratchetwheel,,F ,,the teeth f of whichare alternately engaged by teeth it, which form opposite ends ofaldoublepawl or pallet in the manner of an escapement. The tooth or engagingportion z" of this pallet is pivoted to the end of the vertical armthereof by a pin, 2', as shown in Fig.1, thus providing for the backwardmovement. of the wheel F when it is necessary to set back the carriage.The pallet I is pivoted and said pallet is operated by an arm, j, extending rearwardly from a rock-shaft, J j ournaled in arms 9 of thehanger G. The opposite side of the rock-shaft J has a projecting arm, Jto the outer ends of which is secured a bar, K, that extends across themachine from side to side thereof, and is provided at its ends withupwardly-projecting spurs k, between which, upon thebar, is hooked theends of rods k, that pass downward and are attached to a bar. thatpasses from side to side of the machine below the key-levers thereof.The bar K and connecting-rods 7c are similar to those in common use inmachines of this class,and operate herein in a similar manner.

The parts thus far described relate to the paper-carrying carriage andits connections. I will now proceed to describe the manner in which theribboncarrying spools are operated.

L designates a ratchet-wheel mounted loosely upon the stud f, outside ofand bearing.

with the spur-wheel.

M designates a movable bar, provided at or near its central portion withan aperture, m,

through which its stud f passes, and when said bar M is in properposition upon said, stud the bar M lies against the outer face of theratchet-wheel L. The bar M is provided upon its inner facewithaprojecting pin or tooth, m, that engages with the teethlof theratchetwheel L when the latter is rotated, and by which the bar is movedlongitudinally, the aperture min the bar M being elongated to admit ofsuch longitudinal movement.

ICO

M represents a spring attached at one end to a pin, at, extending fromthe bar M,and its opposite end to a pin, m projecting from the end ofthe stud f. It will be seen that the bar M is forced in one directionlongitudinally by the teeth Z of the ratchet-wheel L acting upon the pinm, and is forced in an opposite direction by the spring M. The bar M ispro vided near each end, upon the lower side thereof, withprojectingteeth m, that engage with and rotate ratchet-wheels N N, secured to theshaft 0 and sleeve N upon the shaft 0, respectively. The shafts O Oextend from front to rear of the machine, and are j ournaled at each endin the legs thereof, as shown, The

ribbon-holding spools O O are mounted upon the shaft 0 and sleeve Nrespectively, and slide freely thereon, but are held against rotationindependent of the shaft 0 and sleeve N by pins that project from saidspools into slots 0, formed in said shaft Oand sleeve N". The bar M isadapted to be tilted in order to bring one or the other of its teeth minto engagement with one or the other of the ratchetwheels N N, suchtilting being effected in the manner and by the means which I will nowvided with a slot, m", into which projects an it upon the lower edge ofsaid end into engagedescribe, to wit: One end of the bar M is pro-l arm,n, projecting from a swinging bar, a, pivoted at its upper end tothebottom surface of the top plate, as shown. lVhen the lower end of thebar a is moved back or forth by means hereinafterdescribed, the arm a ofsaid bar moves back and forth in the slot at of the bar M, and causesthe end of the bar containing the slot to be raised or lowered, and thusbrings the teeth m upon the opposite ends of the bar M into engagementwith one or the other Ofthe1{Lt()l1(3li-WhGlSNN'. The forward end of theshaft 0 is provided with a crank or handle, 0, whereby the spool O isrotated for thepurpose of windingtheinking-ribbonthereon. The shaft 0 atthe opposite side of the machine is provided upon its rear end with theusual coiled spring for actuating the carriage. moving wheel F, saidspring being secured at one end to the shaft 0 and at its opposite endto the case h, hereinbefore referred to. The shaft is controlled by theusual ratchet-wheel and pawl common to machines of this class. In thepresent case said ratchet-wheel and pawl is located upon the forward endof the shaft in front of the machine, as shown by dotted lines in Fig.1, instead of being, as heretofore, placed at the rear of the machine.By this construction I am enabled to increase or lessen the tension ofthe actuating or motive spring while seated before the machine.

I provide for the automatic reversal of the ribboirspools by the meanswhich I will now describe.

I? designates a ilap composed of a series of slats, 19, arrangedparallel with each other,anll secured together by a flexible backing,19, one edge of which secured to the body of the spools, between the endflanges thereof, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, in which figures 1)represents the ribbon.

Fig. 11 represents the spool O as turning backward or unwinding theribbon thereon. The figure shows by full lines the flap P lying snuglywithin a recess formed in the body of the spools in the position itoccupies while the spool is full or being filled. The continued backwardrotation of the spool causes the flap to successively assume thepositions indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 11 and by full lines in Fig.12. By reference to thelatter figure it will be observed the backing pof the flap is upon the upper side of the said flap, and thattherefore,beeause of its described construction, said flap will remainextended and operate to press or bear against any obstruction presentedto its upward passage.

a designates a rod projecting from the lower end of the swinging bar a,and passing below the spool 0" in the plane of the shaft 0 and in thetrack of the flap 1 which strikes against said rod when the spool O isbeing unwound, pressing it outward and in the position shown in Fig. 6,thus drawing the end of the bar M, containing the slotm downward, andthe tooth ment with the ratchet-wheel attached to the spool O", as shownin said figure. The rod n is connected by a rod, a with a rod, a,projecting from the lower end of aswinging arm, a, the upper end ofwhich is pivoted to the bar M, as shown. The rod a projects below thespool O in the track of the flap P thereon in a mannersimilar to theroda hereinbefore described. When the spool O is unwound, the flap I?thereon strikes against the rod n, pushing it outward, and thus, throughrod n and swinging arm n, causing the end of the bar M containing theslot in to be raised and the tooth m upon the opposite end of the bar M,above the spool O", to be thrown into engagement with the ratchet-wheelN connected to said spool 0' From the foregoing description it will beseen that the movement of the spools O 0 will be automatically reversedby the mechanism above described.

I will now describe the means for giving the backset to the carriage-anaction frequently rendered necessary in the operation of this class ofmachines.

It designates a sliding rod, supported by suitable hangers, r, andhaving its outer free end bent or inclined downward, as shown at r". itis provided upon its lower surface with a tooth, a, that normally restsabove the ratchet-wheel F attached to the carriage-actuating wheel F. isat rest, slightly in advance of the teeth upon said wheel F (See Fig.10.) From the end r the red It extends backward to a bellcrank lever,-R, pivoted to the lower surface of the top A, near the rear side edgethereof. The lever B is connected by a rod, r, with a similar bell-cranklever, R pivotedl to the inner side surface of one of the forward legs,and said bell-crank lever B is in turn connected by a wire, r, with oneor more of the operatingkeys of the machine. (Not shown.) The back setmechanism is operated in order to set back the carriage step by step,and as soon as the said carriage has been setback to the distancedesireda spring, B, returns the lever B to its normal position, to throwthe rod B forward into the position shown in Fig. 10. In said figure thefullline arrows show the direction of the rod B when drawing theratchet-wheel F backward, and the dotted-line arrows show the directionof the rod when the same is returned to its normal position by thespring It. I preferably make or form seventy (70) teeth upon the lowersurface of the rack-bar C and an equal number upon the spur-wheel F andratchet-wheel F, whereby a corresponding number of letters may beprinted in a continuous line. It will be observed that the hearings orpoints at which the carriage is pivoted to the rack-bar G are upon theinner faces of the enlarged ends 0 of said bar, and also that said pivotis of the simplest possible description. Bymakingthepivotin theman nershown I economize space. By using the ratchet-wheel F as a regulator orgovernor of The tooth 1' is, when the machine IIO the forward motion ofthe paper-carriage, and

attaching the strap h to a drum secured to the side of saidratchet-wheel, I am enabled to produce a more even and regular motion ofthe carriage, and at the same time to relieve it from direct strains,which other machines have in which the strap is connected directly tothe carriage. If desired, however, the spring-actuated drum may beconnected directly to the carriage by a strap, as shown by dotted linesat Q in Fig. 1.

The operation of my improvement is as follows: The keys, similar tothose in ordinary use and operating in similar manner, being presseddownward, the type are forced upward against the platen. At the sametime the bar K is drawn downward, and, through the rock-shaft J, an arm,j, operates to raise the lower arm, i, of the pallet I, and forcing itstooth into engagement with the ratchet- Wheel F the opposite uppertooth, 2', upon the upper arm of said pallet being simultaneously thrownoutof engagementwith the said ratchet-wheel. Upon the release of thekeys the bar K rises and rotates the rock-shaft J in the oppositedirection, causing the arm j to fall, the pallet-arm i to be thrown outof engagement with the wheel F", and the opposite upper tooth, t, tobecome engaged. By this action the wheel F, under strain by the strap hfrom the actuating spring-shell h, is allowed to move forward a distancecorresponding to length of one of the teeth of said wheel F Thespur-wheel F, being connected to said ratchet-wheel and movingtherewith, operates to move the rack-bar 0 forward the distance to moveforward a corresponding distance With such spur-wheel, and thus movesthe bar M through the ratchet-teeth Z of the ratchetwheel L and thefixed tooth m upon said bar forward a distance corresponding with thedepth of one tooth. \Vhen the teeth Z of the ratchet-wheel L pass theteeth m of the bar M, said bar is drawn backward to its normal positionby the action of the spring h Thus every tooth of the ratchet-wh eel L,as it passes the tooth m of the bar, operates to give a backand-forthmovement to the bar M. XVhen it is desired to set the carriage backward,the key or keys attached to the rod R, hereinbefore described, areoperated, the tooth 1'' upon said rod engaging with the teeth of theratchet- Wheel 13 and drawing said wheel backward, at which time thepallet I serves as a pawl to hold the ratchet-Wheel F against forward mvement. The rod B may be, by proper keys, drawn backward a distancecorresponding to two or more of the teeth upon the wheel F and thereby,as will be readily seen, set the carriage backward either a distanceequal to a single forward movement or space, as determined by the palletI, or the distance of two or more of such forward movements. If desired,the bar M may be dispensed with, the ribbon-spools being moved in lieuthereof by the following means, to wit: W W, Fig. 13, designate pawlspivoted at one end to the outer ends of the bar K. The upper free endsof the pawls W V engage with and rotate the ratchet-wheels N N upon thesleeve N and shaft 0, to which the ribbon-spools are attached. The pawlsWV WV are connected to gether at their free ends by a bar, W that passesacross from one to the other of the pawls. Said bar W" rests and slidesagainst the inner face of the bar K, and is provided at or near itscenter with a downwardly-projecting tooth, 10, that engages alternatelywith detents w when the bar XV is forced back and forth.

W" W designate rods projecting downward from the bar WV", near the endsthereof, said rods NV XV passing across below the spools in the track ofthe flap P, as hereinbefore described, and when struck by said flapsoperate to move the bar Yv longitudinally, and so bring one or the otherof the pawls WV XV into engagement with the ratchet-wheels N N, thetooth w and detent 10 operating to hold the pawls in engagement with theratchet-wheels, as hereinbefore stated. It will be understood that theratchet-wheels N N are rotated by the up-and-down movement of the bar K.

The mechanism whereby the carriage is moved forward and backward may becombined in the following-described manner, to Wit:

er surface of the top A, at the rear edge thereof, and over theratchet-wheel F. To the face of the lug is pivoted a pawl or pallet, Y.

Upon the lower surface of the upper por tion of the pawl Y is a tooth,y, the extreme end 1 of the opposite end y also operating as a tooth,and when the pawl Y is oscillated against the toothed surface of thewheel 1 said wheel is moved forward step by step in a manner similar tothat shown and described hereinbefore.

From the rear side of the pawl Y, at the forward upper end thereof,project two lugs, y between which is pivoted the upper end of a link,Y", the lower end of which is pivoted to the rearwardly r extending armj of the rock-shaft J, operatedby the bar K when said bar is raised orlowered by the action of the ke s.

designates a lug projecting from the forward upper end of the pawl, uponthe inner side thereof, upon which rests and slides an extension, T ofthe back-set rod R. Said Y represents a lug depending from the low--pawl or pallet Y and back-set rod B, when placed side by side and inposition for operation, have a combined thickness equal to that of theratchet-wheel F and rest above said wheel. Vhen the ratchet-wheel isbeing operated in forward direction, the toothed end of the back-set rodB is raised out of engagement with the ratchetwheel F" by the lug 3 uponthe pawl Y, as will be readily understood.

I do not limit myself to the exact form of mechanism shown and describedherein, as many modifications of said mechanism may be made.

I claim as my invention--- 1. In a typewriter, the combination of apaper-carriage provided at its rear edge with pivotal lugs, with alongitudinallymoving rack-bar having but one row of teeth and sup ports,substantially as described, a fixed actuating gear-wheel, and means,substantially as herein described, whereby the raclcbar and carriage aremoved backward with step-bystep motion, as and for the purpose hereinset forth.

2. In a type-writer, the combination of the paper-carriage and alongitudinal]y-moving rack-bar with an actuating gear-wheel pro videdupon its rear face with a band-wheel or drum and ratchet-wheelcontrolled by a pallet, and means, substantially as described, wherebysaid ratehet-wheel, drum, and actuating gear-wheel are rotated, as andfor the purpose set forth.

3. In a typewriter, the combination of a paper-carriage, alongitudinally-moving rackbar, a gear-wheel provided upon its rear facewith a drum and ratchet-wheel, and rotated by an actuating spring andstrap, with a pawl or pallet engaging with the ratchet-wheel andoperated by an arm projecting from a rockshaft, and connected through abar, K, with the type-keys, whereby when said type-keys are successivelydepressed and released the carriage is caused to move forward withstepby-step motion, substantially herein described.

4. In a typewriter, the combination of a paper-carriage hinged at itsrear edge to a longitudinally moving rack-bar actuated by a gear-wheelmounted upon the frame, having a drum to which motive power is applied,the ribbon-spools and ratchets, with a reciprocating bar for operatingthe ribbonspools, and means, substantially as described, whereby thereciprocating bar is operated by the forward rotation of the spur-gearwheel, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a typewriter, the combination of the spur-gear wheel F, mountedupon a stud pro jecting from a hanger, G, said gear-wheel provided uponits rear side with a drum, F, to which a strap, 72, from theactuating-spring case it is attached, and ratchet-wheel F", and pawl orpallet I, with a ratchet-wheel, L, mounted upon the stud f in front ofthe spurwheel, said ratchet-wheel adapted to be moved forward and heldfrom backward movement by a pawl, L, on spur-wheel F, bar M, fulcrumedupon the stud f against the face of the ratchet-wheel L, and providedwith a spur or tooth, m, held in engagement with the teeth of the wheelL by a spring, M,whereby when the spur-wheel is rotated in forwarddirection, the bar M will be moved back and forth, and

when said wheel is moved backward the bar will remain at rest, and theribbon-spools and ratchet, substantially as herein described, and forthe purpose specified.

6. In a typewriter, the combination of a reciprocating bar, M, havingteeth an and slot m shafts O O, ratchet-wheels N N, and spools O 0",having flaps P, with the swinging arms a at, having projecting arms orrods a a, and connected together by rod a ,whereby the teeth at of thebar M are caused to at ternately engage with the teeth of theratchetwheels N N, and thus reverse the rnotion of the spools 0* 0substantially as herein described.

7 In a type-writer, the combination of ribbon-spools provided with flapsI, formed of slats p, hinged together and to the body of the spools bycloth 1), whereby when the spools are turned in one direction said flapshall be folded against and lie upon the surface of the spool, and whensaid spools are turned in opposite directionshall remain ex tended andradially projecting therefrom, ratchet-wheels N N, bar M, and means,substantially as described, for causing said bar to alternately engagewith either of the ratchet wheels N N, substantially as hereindescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a type-writer, the combination of the ratcl1et-wheel F spurgearwheel F, and gear rack-bar O with pawl It, levers It, andconnecting-rods r 4-, whereby the carriage is moved backward while thegear-wheel F is moved forward, substantially as herein described.

9. In a type-writer, the combination of the carriage B, hinged to therack-bar O, spurgear wheel F, drum F, ratchet-wheel F and theiroperating devices,with a longitudinally moving red, It, provided at itsouter free end with tooth 1-,bell-crank levers R It", resettingspring Rand connecting-rods r 9 whereby said rod is operated from a key or keysof the machine, substantially as herein described.

10. In a type-writer, the combination ofthe bar K, attached torock-shaft J, and moved up and down by the action of the type-leverkeys, arm j, and bell-crank pawl I, with the ratchet-wheel F, pawl L,ratchet-wheel L, bar M, and the ribbon-spools, substantially asdescribed.

11. In a type-writer, the combination of the bar K, attached to arock-shaft, J, and moved up and down by the type'levcr keys, theratchet-wheel F, with controlling-pallet, and the back-set rod R,whereby the ratchet-wheel is prevented from moving forward when saidback-set rod is being operated, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J. A. HITCOMB' W'itnesses:

Josnrn: Fonnns'r, H. I. BERNHARD.

